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Whats not to love in this land of tulips? By day, see the city from bicycle and boat; by night, prowl the darker edge of clubs; and dont forget the notorious Red Light District.
By Meghan Aftosmis, ShermansTravel.com
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If you know anything about Amsterdam, you know it's progressive. But spend a day walking the 17th-century European capital that Rembrandt called home and you'll know that life is good hereand tolerance is the key to that happiness. Locals, made up of at least 170 different nationalities, have each brought their cultures and cuisines with them forming a true cosmopolitan melting pot, where world-class museums, luxury hotels, churches, and schools share the same streets as red-light windows and "coffeeshops," a euphemism for cafes selling cannabis. Isn't that cozy, or should we say, gezellig, like a true Amsterdam native?
The city has a split personalitystately capital rich with culture and full-blown party townbut Amsterdam pulls it off. Despite the often-gloomy weather, the city can please just about everyone with its artsy nature, rich history, and romantic canals (the city claims more than Venice) or its velvet-roped clubs, sanctioned prostitution, and drug acceptance. And talk about tolerantthe Dutch are even happy to speak English with you. It may only take a day or two before you decide to hop on a bicycle and take up their lifestyle.
- Expedia: Save on your next trip to Europe. Find great deals to Amsterdam and beyond
With about 200 museums and art galleries, 28 parks, over 10,000 shops and markets, and some 1,500 bars and cafés to cover, there's no way to really know Amsterdam in just a short trip. But its compact center and walkability do allow you to feel like you've seen most of it. With just three days, pack in two or three of the major museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House; take a canal cruise; stop into the Concertgebouw for a free music performance; stroll the Jordaan neighborhood; and shop the Nine Streets. With five days, you can take the time to rent a bike and dig a little deeper, maybe tour the Heineken Experience, see Rembrandt's house, visit the FOAM museum, the Stedelijk Museum CS, or the Tropenmuseum, linger in either the Vondelpark or de Hortus botanical gardens, and check out the Albert Cuypmarkt. With seven days, you'll want to venture a little further outside Amsterdam proper, maybe to Haarlem or the Eastern Docklands, spend time antiquing in the Spiegelkwartier, or catch an art-house flick at Culture Park Westergasfabriek.
Exploring the city
Amsterdam's main canals make a series of rings around the city center, while a few more, along with the Amstel River, run out from the center like spokes on a wheel. Knowing where you arein the Jordaan to the west, the Museum Quarter or De Pijp to the south, or the Plantage District and the Eastern Docklands to the eastin relation to the canals will help orient you in the city.
Depending on where you're going, you can walk most anywhere quickly, but if you want to blend in with the locals, rent a bike (and a lock!) and get a good city map from the tourist office. Rentals are available at MacBike (Central Station; 4.25 per day for 7 days, rates vary; www.macbike.nl). Be warned: Stay in the red bike lanes, and don't dawdlethe Dutch aren't out for a scenic ride and will speed past you. Otherwise, you can travel by boatthe Canal Bus (Weteringschans 26; 17; www.canal.nl) makes 14 stops near the major sights on three routes through the city; a day pass allows you to hop on and off the three routes and provides discounts on museums and attractionsbuy tickets at one of the stops (all three routes start at Central Station) or through the GVB office (opposite Central station).
As for tours, canal cruises are among the best way to get a general perspective on the city and take in the views. Rederij Lovers (8.50; www.lovers.nl) offers a variety of guided cruises during the day and at night. The St. Nicolaas Boat Club (Leidseplein 12; departures times vary; www.amsterdamboatclub.com takes smaller groups out on historic boats for more laid-back, personalized tours. For in-depth city walking tours, take the New Amsterdam Free Tour (Stationsplein 10; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; 3 hrs; free; www.newamsterdamtours.com). To explore on wheels, Mike's Bike Tours (Kerkstraat 134; 4 hrs; 22; www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com) meets outside the Rijksmuseum and tours the city and nearby countryside.
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http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=375747>1=10142
Doesn't this sound like a beautiful place to live? Man. Sometimes I think about moving to Europe, but a very big part of me wants to fight for that happiness to exist in America.
By Meghan Aftosmis, ShermansTravel.com
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- <LI class=first>Slide Show: Amsterdam <LI class=first>Amsterdam: Top 10 Walks and Cycle Rides <LI class=first>See all Amsterdam Articles
- Connect with Amsterdam Travelers
If you know anything about Amsterdam, you know it's progressive. But spend a day walking the 17th-century European capital that Rembrandt called home and you'll know that life is good hereand tolerance is the key to that happiness. Locals, made up of at least 170 different nationalities, have each brought their cultures and cuisines with them forming a true cosmopolitan melting pot, where world-class museums, luxury hotels, churches, and schools share the same streets as red-light windows and "coffeeshops," a euphemism for cafes selling cannabis. Isn't that cozy, or should we say, gezellig, like a true Amsterdam native?
The city has a split personalitystately capital rich with culture and full-blown party townbut Amsterdam pulls it off. Despite the often-gloomy weather, the city can please just about everyone with its artsy nature, rich history, and romantic canals (the city claims more than Venice) or its velvet-roped clubs, sanctioned prostitution, and drug acceptance. And talk about tolerantthe Dutch are even happy to speak English with you. It may only take a day or two before you decide to hop on a bicycle and take up their lifestyle.
- Expedia: Save on your next trip to Europe. Find great deals to Amsterdam and beyond
With about 200 museums and art galleries, 28 parks, over 10,000 shops and markets, and some 1,500 bars and cafés to cover, there's no way to really know Amsterdam in just a short trip. But its compact center and walkability do allow you to feel like you've seen most of it. With just three days, pack in two or three of the major museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House; take a canal cruise; stop into the Concertgebouw for a free music performance; stroll the Jordaan neighborhood; and shop the Nine Streets. With five days, you can take the time to rent a bike and dig a little deeper, maybe tour the Heineken Experience, see Rembrandt's house, visit the FOAM museum, the Stedelijk Museum CS, or the Tropenmuseum, linger in either the Vondelpark or de Hortus botanical gardens, and check out the Albert Cuypmarkt. With seven days, you'll want to venture a little further outside Amsterdam proper, maybe to Haarlem or the Eastern Docklands, spend time antiquing in the Spiegelkwartier, or catch an art-house flick at Culture Park Westergasfabriek.
Exploring the city
Amsterdam's main canals make a series of rings around the city center, while a few more, along with the Amstel River, run out from the center like spokes on a wheel. Knowing where you arein the Jordaan to the west, the Museum Quarter or De Pijp to the south, or the Plantage District and the Eastern Docklands to the eastin relation to the canals will help orient you in the city.
Depending on where you're going, you can walk most anywhere quickly, but if you want to blend in with the locals, rent a bike (and a lock!) and get a good city map from the tourist office. Rentals are available at MacBike (Central Station; 4.25 per day for 7 days, rates vary; www.macbike.nl). Be warned: Stay in the red bike lanes, and don't dawdlethe Dutch aren't out for a scenic ride and will speed past you. Otherwise, you can travel by boatthe Canal Bus (Weteringschans 26; 17; www.canal.nl) makes 14 stops near the major sights on three routes through the city; a day pass allows you to hop on and off the three routes and provides discounts on museums and attractionsbuy tickets at one of the stops (all three routes start at Central Station) or through the GVB office (opposite Central station).
As for tours, canal cruises are among the best way to get a general perspective on the city and take in the views. Rederij Lovers (8.50; www.lovers.nl) offers a variety of guided cruises during the day and at night. The St. Nicolaas Boat Club (Leidseplein 12; departures times vary; www.amsterdamboatclub.com takes smaller groups out on historic boats for more laid-back, personalized tours. For in-depth city walking tours, take the New Amsterdam Free Tour (Stationsplein 10; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; 3 hrs; free; www.newamsterdamtours.com). To explore on wheels, Mike's Bike Tours (Kerkstraat 134; 4 hrs; 22; www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com) meets outside the Rijksmuseum and tours the city and nearby countryside.
------------------------------
http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=375747>1=10142
Doesn't this sound like a beautiful place to live? Man. Sometimes I think about moving to Europe, but a very big part of me wants to fight for that happiness to exist in America.
